Honorable Mention TIFA 2022 People / Culture

Soutu. Rowing.

  • Photographer
    Markku Lahdesmaki
  • Photo Date
    July 2021

Returning to Finland, another beautiful summer in Orivesi and taking off from our summer house, as I often have, in a wooden rowboat, I was off to do something or off to do nothing. To hop in the boat is be part of a common cultural pastime, and in summers past, I used that old boat to fish and catch crayfish. But this summer was different else. My new summer series SOUTU = Rowing.

Born in Finland I became interested in photography at an early age of 7. By 21 I had a studio in my hometown of Tampere, Finland and soon after in London UK. A career as a commercial photographer became the reality that would eventually lead me to Los Angeles. My photography ranges from pure painterly to complex technical composites. I enjoy working and traveling for both American and European clients and my love of photography also inspires a constant stream of personal work that is largely inspired by the values I hold dear: joy of life, peace of mind and a sense of humor.